The new report reiterates what reusable nappy users have maintained since modern fabrics and washing methods have been adopted, that reusable nappies are better for the environment than disposable nappies, by up to a staggering 40%.

The report says that washing reusable nappies in full loads in energy efficient machines, on 40°C then line drying and reusing on future children uses only 370kg carbon dioxide equivalents over 2.5 years in nappies. Conversely, using disposable nappies for the same period releases 550kg carbon dioxide equivalents to the atmosphere (nearly double). The report’s findings will encourage all parents to adpot best practice laundering and care methods as advocated by modern users of reusable nappies, the Australian Nappy Network and explained at the FAQ section of Oz Cloth Nappies.

I’m using cloth nappies, and I certainly hope this is true, but I do wonder: What if you live somewhere like melbourne, and the incremental cost of extra water use is extra use of a desalination plant powered by coal? How much does that change the result?